Share this article

West Side gang member sentenced to 12 1/2 years on drug charge

A member of a West Side Buffalo gang Wednesday was sentenced to 12 1/2 years in prison by U.S. District Court Judge William M. Skretny.

Oscar Romero, 37, of Buffalo was convicted of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine.

Romero was an associate of the Loiza Boys, which has been distributing heroin and cocaine on Buffalo’s West Side since at least 2006, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who handled the sentencing.

Romero was charged in 2013 along with nine co-conspirators following a long-term FBI investigation that involved the interception of telephone calls and the use of undercover drug purchases from some of the other people charged. During their investigation, law enforcement officers seized over 450 grams of heroin, three firearms, and more than $70,000 cash.